Former Puerto Rican professional boxer Prichard Colón has died at the age of 33, nearly 11 years after suffering a devastating brain injury that left him in a persistent vegetative state.
Colón died on Thursday, according to an announcement by his father and former coach, Richard Colón, on Facebook.
Richard said he had done everything possible to fulfil his son’s wish of returning to Puerto Rico, where he wanted to spend a vacation.
He thanked those who had supported the family with prayers and encouragement throughout Colón’s long battle with the effects of his injury.
Colón was once regarded as one of boxing’s most promising young talents. The former junior middleweight compiled an impressive 16-0 professional record, including 13 knockouts, before his career was abruptly cut short in October 2015.
The Puerto Rican boxer suffered a severe brain injury during his bout against American fighter Terrel Williams at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.
During the fight, Colón was knocked down twice in the ninth round after receiving repeated blows to the back of the head, commonly referred to as rabbit punches. His corner eventually stopped the contest.
He was rushed to hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a subdural hematoma and performed emergency surgery.
Colón subsequently spent 221 days in a coma. He never regained the ability to walk or speak and required years of rehabilitation as well as constant care from his family.
The tragedy surrounding his injury also prompted changes in boxing safety regulations.
In 2016, the World Boxing Council introduced the “Prichard Colón Rule,” adopting a zero-tolerance approach to blows to the back of the head.
Colón’s parents later filed a $50 million lawsuit in 2017 against the ringside doctor and promoters associated with the fight.
Born in Maitland, Florida, on September 19, 1992, Colón represented Puerto Rico as an amateur and won a gold medal at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship.
His death marks the end of a life and boxing career that was dramatically altered at the height of his promising professional journey.
